The project dashboard is a free tool that is only available to verified hoteliers to make adopting new technology easier by streamlining their research and simplifying their communication workflow.
TLDR
We analyzed 216 verified hotelier reviews, compared feature sets, pricing, and real-world case studies to break down where each platform delivers. The right choice depends on your property type and priorities:
STAY shines when it comes to guest experience optimization — especially for brand properties (0.0/5) , with exclusive features like Mobile App.
Staymate shines , with exclusive features like Mobile Checkin and Payments.
Side-by-side ratings based on 216 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
| HTScore |
|
|
| Likelihood to Recommend |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Customer Support |
|
|
| Value for Money |
|
|
| Starting Price | From $300/mo | From $200/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 215 | 1 |
After analyzing 216 verified reviews, STAY users most value its guest experience optimization, mobile and user experience, operational efficiency, while Staymate users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
|
|
|
|---|---|
| Pros | |
|
+
Guest Experience Optimization
▾
|
|
|
+
Mobile and User Experience
▾
|
|
|
+
Operational Efficiency
▾
|
|
|
+
Support and Service
▾
|
|
| Cons | |
|
−
CMS and Customization
▾
|
|
|
−
Integration Capabilities
▾
|
|
|
−
Analytics and Reporting
▾
|
|
How each product ranks among Hotel Guest Apps vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #9 10 reviews | #23 1 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #4 83 reviews | — |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #2 89 reviews | — |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #2 24 reviews | — |
By Property Type
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | #2 77 reviews | — |
| Luxury ▾ | #2 88 reviews | — |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #3 91 reviews | #27 1 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #6 7 reviews | — |
By Region
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| North America ▾ | #5 27 reviews | — |
| Europe ▾ | #3 112 reviews | #25 1 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | #6 3 reviews | — |
| Middle East | #7 2 reviews | — |
Choosing between STAY Guest App by STAY and Staymate hinges on your hotel’s specific needs and priorities. Both products aim to enhance guest communication, streamline operations, and digitize hotel services, but they do so with different approaches and feature sets. While STAY offers a comprehensive guest experience platform with strong industry presence, Staymate emphasizes integrated communication across multiple channels with automation. Which solution aligns better with your hotel’s operational goals and guest expectations?
Both STAY and Staymate serve to improve guest engagement and operational efficiency, but they do so from distinct angles. STAY’s platform is a full-fledged guest experience operating system, with a focus on digitizing services like room service, reservations, and internal analytics, used by over 1,000 hotels globally. Staymate, on the other hand, consolidates communication channels into one interface, automating messaging and content updates without requiring guests to download an app. Do you need a broad service platform or a streamlined communication tool?
The key divergence is in their target functionalities: STAY is designed for comprehensive guest service management, while Staymate excels in multi-channel communication and automation. With more recent reviews and a larger global footprint, STAY’s strength lies in its proven track record and extensive integrations. Meanwhile, Staymate’s simple setup and focus on channel automation make it ideal for hotels prioritizing communication efficiency. Are you seeking a full-service guest app or a communication automation platform?
If your hotel needs a complete guest experience system that digitizes multiple services — from check-in to amenities — STAY is the clear choice. It’s especially suited for large chains or hotels aiming to reduce paper, improve internal workflows, and elevate guest satisfaction through detailed analytics. Conversely, if your team wants to centralize communication, automate guest messaging, and enhance direct engagement across channels, Staymate is the better fit, particularly for hotels with tech-savvy guests like Millennials or those seeking a quick, cost-effective solution.
Your decision should align with your hotel’s size, digital maturity, and desired scope of guest interaction. For a hotel seeking a proven, feature-rich platform with broad regional coverage, STAY’s larger review base and recent positive feedback make it the stronger candidate. If your hotel prioritizes integrated communication and automation without extensive service digitization, Staymate offers a straightforward, budget-friendly alternative.
STAY’s platform scores a 4.78 out of 5 for ease of use, with many reviews praising its intuitive CMS and simple content updates. It’s designed to be straightforward for staff to implement and manage, although some users mention that language options could be expanded. Staymate scores a perfect 5 out of 5, with glowing reviews highlighting its user-friendly interface and seamless experience—especially for Millennials and digital-native guests.
Staff onboarding is smooth for both, but STAY’s larger user community and more extensive support network provide added confidence. Edge: Staymate.
STAY offers 14 unique features, including a mobile app, chatbot, automated replies, message routing, and app download capabilities—features tailored for comprehensive guest experience management. Staymate provides 7 primary features, such as a guest app that doesn’t require download, a chatbot, experience widgets, marketing emails, weekly program management, and Host Autopilot automation—focused on multi-channel communication and content automation.
STAY’s broader feature set makes it suitable for hotels seeking an all-in-one platform that digitizes services and provides deep analytics. Staymate’s specialized features excel in automating communication and marketing, with a modern, easy-to-use interface.
Edge: STAY.
STAY boasts a customer support score of 4.83 out of 5, with reviews highlighting quick response times, helpful onboarding, and strong support from their team. While some reviews mention limited regional support hours and language options, overall satisfaction remains high, and clients appreciate the reliability. Staymate scores a perfect 5 out of 5, with reviews emphasizing their quick, attentive support and constant improvements, despite the limited number of reviews and no recent feedback.
Given STAY’s larger user base and more recent reviews, it has a slight edge in support confidence. Edge: STAY.
STAY integrates with 20 verified partners, including major PMS and distribution systems like SiteMinder, Mews, and Amadeus, along with unique integrations such as Hotelkit, Winhotel, and Vingcard. Staymate connects with 8 verified partners, including Protel and Smart Host, but lacks the extensive integration network of STAY.
If your hotel relies on multiple third-party systems or plans to scale, STAY’s broader partner ecosystem offers more flexibility. Staymate is better suited for hotels with simpler tech stacks or those just beginning their digital transformation.
Edge: STAY.
STAY’s overall rating is 3/5 based on 206 reviews, with recent feedback highlighting its operational benefits and robust integrations. Hotels in the luxury, branded, and resort segments, like NH Hotels and VIVA Wyndham, report significant improvements, with recent reviews emphasizing its impact on guest satisfaction and sustainability.
Staymate, with a perfect 5/5 from its minimal reviews, is rated highly by its early users, particularly in Europe, but lacks extensive or recent feedback. While the small sample size limits comparison, STAY’s larger, more recent review volume indicates more reliable ratings.
Edge: STAY.
STAY charges a base price of $300 per month, with no freemium or trial offerings. Staymate’s base cost is lower at $200 per month, also without a free tier or trial. Both products’ pricing models are straightforward, but STAY’s higher price reflects its broader feature set and global deployment.
Your choice should consider your budget versus the scope of features needed. STAY’s premium pricing aligns with larger hotels seeking comprehensive solutions, while Staymate offers a more budget-conscious entry point.
Not ideal if your hotel is small, budget-constrained, or primarily focused on communication automation without extensive service digitization.
Not ideal if your hotel requires full-service management, detailed analytics, or extensive integrations beyond communication channels.
STAY offers a comprehensive guest experience platform proven to improve operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, and sustainability. It’s best suited for large, tech-forward hotels or chains that want to digitize multiple service touchpoints and analyze their performance.
Staymate excels in multi-channel communication automation, making it ideal for hotels focused on improving guest engagement and reducing staff workload through simplified messaging and content management. It’s a good choice for smaller or mid-sized hotels with a modern, digitally-savvy guest base.
If your hotel needs an all-in-one, scalable solution with extensive integrations and proven results, STAY is the clear winner. For streamlined communication and automation on a budget, Staymate provides a modern, easy-to-use alternative.
According to HTR's product database, STAY Guest App and Staymate share 9 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| App download | ||
| Automated Replies | ||
| Chatbot | ||
| Message Routing | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Mobile Checkin | ||
| Payments |
We analyzed 8 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"Thanks to STAY, we offer our guests an interaction tool with our staff. We can make real-time decisions with it. This simplifies our staff's duties at the same time. The guest expe..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"Implementing STAY contributed to a significant increase in our revenue and customer satisfaction. The app pays for itself. We have seen significant increases in consumption for all..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
Multiple reviews highlight how STAY dramatically enhances guest experience by providing digital and sustainable ways for guests to access information... Multiple reviews highlight how STAY dramatically enhances guest experience by providing digital and sustainable ways for guests to access information and services. Features like real-time updates, mobile service ordering, and the ability to make restaurant reservations reduce wait times and provide convenience.
The app's user interface and mobile experience are lauded for being intuitive and easy to navigate. Users find it simple to update information and man... The app's user interface and mobile experience are lauded for being intuitive and easy to navigate. Users find it simple to update information and manage content, whether they are hotel staff or guests.
STAY aids in improving hotel operational efficiency by allowing quicker handling of guest requests, optimized internal processes, and reduced front de... STAY aids in improving hotel operational efficiency by allowing quicker handling of guest requests, optimized internal processes, and reduced front desk lines. The tool facilitates sustainable practices by digitizing traditional paper-based services, aiding hotels in their sustainability goals.
Where hoteliers push back
The CMS is highlighted for its ease of use and customization capabilities, though users have indicated some areas for improvement, particularly more f... The CMS is highlighted for its ease of use and customization capabilities, though users have indicated some areas for improvement, particularly more flexibility in design and functionality.
Users appreciate STAY's robust integration capabilities with various internal applications and systems, including PMS and CRM systems. These integrati... Users appreciate STAY's robust integration capabilities with various internal applications and systems, including PMS and CRM systems. These integrations streamline data management and help provide a seamless experience for both staff and guests.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. STAY Guest App and Staymate share many core Hotel Guest Apps features, but each has unique capabilities. STAY Guest App offers 20 verified integration partners, while Staymate offers 8. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Staymate leads in ease of use at 5.0/5 vs 4.8/5. Look for transparent pricing and a trial or demo option. Filter reviews on each product page by property size to hear from hotels like yours.
STAY Guest App: No. Staymate: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Guest Apps vendors offer demos or trials — request one from each to evaluate before committing.
The HT Score is a composite ranking that considers 4 criteria groups and over a dozen variables to help hoteliers objectively compare hotel technology products. STAY has an HT Score of 47 and Staymate has 0. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
|
How highly do users recommend this product? Ratings Score, Review Volume, Share of Voice, Review Depth, Review Recency, Success Stories ▾ The most heavily weighted factor. Analyzes average satisfaction ratings (likelihood to recommend, ease of use, support, ROI), total review count relative to category peers, review recency (at least 20 reviews in the trailing 6 months), and share of voice across unique hotel clients to detect selection bias. |
| Partner Ecosystem |
|
How highly do tech partners recommend this company? Partner Recommendations, Integration Quantity, Integration Quality ▾ Evaluates partner recommendations as expert votes of confidence, the number of verified integrations, and ecosystem quality — the average HT Scores of integration partners. Products with higher-quality integration ecosystems are more likely to deliver a connected tech stack. |
| Customer Centricity |
|
How customer-centric is this organization? Certified Support, Review Consistency, Profile Completeness ▾ Assesses whether the company has earned HTR Customer Support Certification, maintains consistent review collection over time (an indicator of feedback-driven culture), and keeps product profiles complete with capabilities, screenshots, pricing, and features. |
| Reach, Staying Power & Resources |
|
How extensive is this company's reach and resourcing? Geographic Reach, Staying Power, Company Resources, Trending Score ▾ Measures global presence (countries and regions served), years in business as a stability proxy, team headcount as a resource proxy, and a trending score based on trailing-twelve-month buyer inquiries, reviews, partner recommendations, and press activity. |
Customer ratings and reviews are by far the most important factor in the HT Score algorithm. HTR does not accept payment for higher rankings. All reviews are verified — only hotel industry practitioners with confirmed affiliations can submit ratings. View full HT Score methodology →
Product recommendations advisor